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The Tennessee Valley Authority on Tuesday ramped up production at the Sequoyah nuclear plant's 1,126-megawatt Unit 2 to 97% of capacity, from 56% on Monday. The reactor, 17 miles northeast of Chattanooga, Tenn., underwent refueling and maintenance that began in October. The increase in output resulted in power generation of 30,007 MW in the Southeast, the area's highest level since Aug. 22, 2011, according to Bloomberg.

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Tennessee Valley Authority's Sequoyah nuclear power plant was granted 20-year extensions by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for both of its reactors on Monday. "This milestone is a direct reflection of our ongoing commitment to safely operate Sequoyah to benefit the people we serve every day," said TVA Chief Nuclear Officer Joe Grimes. Sequoyah Units 1 and 2 will be allowed to operate until 2040 and 2041, respectively.

The Tennessee Valley Authority's Watts Bar Unit 2 has passed a second set of tests, clearing a necessary hurdle on the way to a planned startup later this year. The tests focused on checking welds and seals to ensure the reactor's structural integrity is sound, said company spokesman Scott Brooks. "The tests were completed successfully on the first performance, which reinforces the quality of the construction," Brooks said.

Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 1 reactor is back online after an electric fault led to it being shut down. Owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the reactor generates enough power to handle Chattanooga, Tenn.'s electricity needs twice over. The wiring problem that was fixed was in the non-nuclear portion of the plant, said TVA spokesman Jim Hopson.

The South Texas Project plant was forced to temporarily shut down one of its two reactors after a fire ignited near the reactor's main transformer. Plant spokesman Buddy Eller said the fire was put out in 15 minutes and did not threaten any key components or cause any injuries. It has not been decided when the reactor will be restarted.

An investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission found that a Tennessee Valley Authority security employee had lied on an inventory report at the Sequoyah nuclear plant. As part of a settlement in the case, TVA must upgrade procedures at three sites.